VIENNA -- General Dynamics European Land Systems entered a contract with the Bundesamt für Wehrtechnik und Beschaffung (BWB) for the delivery of 195 highly protected EAGLE vehicles as evidence of the close cooperation between the two entities and the good performance of the vehicle.

The vehicles will be jointly manufactured at GDELS-Mowag and GDELS-Germany and also with the participation of numerous German subcontractors. The new order is in addition to orders awarded between 2008 and 2010, and increases the German EAGLE fleet to a total of 473 vehicles. The contract value for the 195 EAGLE vehicles signed on Dec. 20, 2010 is ˆ125 million or US$165 million.

Within the framework of the procurement of protected Class 2 Command and Function vehicles, the EAGLE was selected in 2008 following 2 years of intensive evaluation. This vehicle replaces a large number of existing unprotected and light protected vehicles of the Bundeswehr on foreign missions. Due to its high protection level, deployability, agility and tactical mobility, the EAGLE is suitable for the entire mission spectrum in this class of vehicles. The EAGLE can be used for various missions by applying modular add-on kits.

The first contract for the delivery of 198 EAGLE vehicles was signed by the BWB and GDELS in November 2008. By May 2009, the first vehicles were delivered and deployed to Afghanistan, where they have demonstrated their outstanding reliability and high availability. The delivery of the first 198 vehicles to the Bundeswehr was completed in September 2010, three months ahead of the contractual delivery schedule.

The urgent need for highly protected vehicles in the Bundeswehr led to another order of 20 EAGLE BAT Ambulance Vehicles in November 2009 plus an order of an additional 60 EAGLE patrol vehicles for the German Bundeswehr in mid-April 2010. The December 20 order for an additional 195 vehicles will ensure the continuous supply of urgently needed protected Command and Function vehicles over the coming years. Those vehicles are scheduled to be manufactured and delivered within 2011 and 2012.

All vehicles for the Bundeswehr will be jointly manufactured by General Dynamics European Land Systems-Mowag in Kreuzlingen, Switzerland, and General Dynamics European Land Systems-Germany in Kaiserslautern. Numerous other German suppliers will be engaged in the manufacture and supply of many key components.

These orders reflect the strong relationship with the BWB and the Bundeswehr as a key customer for General Dynamics European Land Systems and underline the international success of the highly protected EAGLE.

The EAGLE sets the standard for protected wheeled vehicles in the weight class of up to 9.5 t. The vehicle has a length of 5.40 m, a height of 2.4 m and a width of 2.16 m. It reaches a top speed of 110 km/h on the road and manages gradients of up to 60%. The 245 hp turbocharged diesel engine, in connection with a 5-speed automatic transmission, the unique DeDion axle system with the patented roll stabilizer, the tire pressure control system and the permanent all-wheel drive give the EAGLE superior on-road and off-road mobility. Thanks to the modular protection system, the EAGLE offers a very high level of protection against ballistic threats, mines, and IEDs. Furthermore, the vehicle is equipped with an NBC overpressure system.

General Dynamics
21.12.2010